Weeknights can be hectic, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on a delicious dinner. These quick family-friendly recipes are perfect for busy evenings, offering a delightful variety without the fuss. From hearty pastas to flavorful stir-fries, you’ll find options that bring everyone to the table with smiles. Let’s get cooking and make weeknight dinners a breeze!
Steps
- Simple Lemon Herb Chicken: Cook the chicken with a blend of herbs and lemon for enhanced flavor. This dish is ready in about 25 minutes and leftovers make a great chicken salad.
- Sesame Grilled Salmon: Grill the salmon with sesame seasoning for a flavorful dish. Serve with grilled vegetables and herbed wild rice for a complete meal, ready in about 25 minutes.
- One Pan Orecchiette Pasta: Prepare this pasta dish using just one pan with minimal ingredients. It’s budget-friendly, easy to make, and ready in 40 minutes.
- Chicken Tortilla Soup IV: Combine ingredients, including leftover chicken, for a quick soup. It can be prepared in about 30 minutes or cooked in a crock-pot for a few hours.
- Sloppy Joe Casserole: Prep this casserole in 15 minutes with common pantry ingredients. Add chili powder for extra spice, and it’s a fun dish to prepare.
- Soy and Honey Pork Chops: Grill the pork chops with a soy and honey sauce for a delightful meal. The dish is ready in 30 minutes, and grilling the onions enhances the flavor.
- Chicken Breasts in Caper Cream Sauce: Cook the chicken with a simple caper cream sauce for a delicious flavor. Add extra cream for more sauce, and the dish is ready in 20 minutes.
- Beef Enchiladas II: Prepare these enchiladas with a few simple ingredients for a tasty meal. The simplicity does not compromise the flavor, making it a delightful dish.
- Grandma’s Famous Salmon Cakes: Mix ingredients to create salmon cakes, a family recipe passed through generations. Serve with your choice of side dish; ready in 30 minutes.
- Modenese Pork Chops: Cook these pork chops with a simple sauce for great flavor. Serve with rice and drizzle the sauce over; ready in 40 minutes.
- Tuna Lime Tostadas: Prepare these tostadas in about 10 minutes with minimal prep. They are versatile and can be modified to suit various tastes and diets.
- Ham Tetrazzini: Cook this quick dish in 30 minutes, suitable for a weeknight dinner. It’s easy enough for anyone to make, and kids love it.
- Chicken Fiesta Salad: Assemble this filling and easy chicken salad in 40 minutes. It’s a perfect low-fat option for summer meals.
- Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts: Prepare chicken with a piquant pan sauce to enhance the fresh herbs. The dish is ready in about 20 minutes and is full of flavor.
- Amatriciana: Cook this pasta with a flavorful red sauce for a five-star meal. It’s a simple dish with a nostalgic taste, ready in 35 minutes.
- Garlic Chicken Stir Fry: Prepare all ingredients before cooking this quick stir fry. The dish is ready in about 30 minutes and turns out delicious.
- Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy: Prepare the steaks and serve with buttered noodles, the dish is ready in 40 minutes. Add mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Quick Chicken And Wine: Cook chicken with a seasoned flour and a touch of balsamic vinegar for a high-end taste. The dish is ready in 25 minutes with a refined flavor.
- Super Simple Salmon: Cook salmon simply for great flavor in 15 minutes. This easy recipe makes cooking salmon more appealing.
- Sirloin Tips and Mushrooms: Prepare the beef and mushrooms with a perfect sauce consistency. Ready in 15 minutes, this dish is a regular favorite.
- Mediterranean Chicken: Cook chicken with Mediterranean flavors for a delicious dish. It’s ready in about 20 minutes and fills the house with a wonderful aroma.
- Pork Chops with Fresh Tomato, Onion, Garlic, and Feta: Cook pork chops with a blend of fresh ingredients for a flavorful dish. The balsamic and feta complement the other flavors; ready in 35 minutes.
- Creamy Chicken Marsala: Prepare this quick version of Chicken Marsala in 20 minutes. Serve over egg noodles for a family favorite meal.
- Quick Beef Stir-Fry: Cook a flexible stir-fry with available veggies and meat. It’s a quick meal that simulates a fancy dish, perfect for students.
- Tomato Basil Salmon: Prepare salmon with tomatoes and basil for a new favorite dish. Add sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor; ready in 30 minutes.
- Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts with Shallots: Cook chicken to a golden finish with shallots and a flavorful sauce. This dish makes you feel like a chef and is ready in 35 minutes.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme or rosemary)
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Salmon fillets
- Sesame oil
- Soy sauce
- Fresh ginger
- Garlic
- Sesame seeds
- Orecchiette pasta
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
- Chicken broth
- Diced tomatoes
- Black beans
- Corn kernels
- Precooked chicken
- Tortilla chips
- Cheddar cheese
- Avocado
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Tomato sauce
- Ketchup
- Brown sugar
- Chili powder
- Hamburger buns
- Pork chops
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken breasts
- Capers
- Heavy cream
- White wine
- Butter
- Garlic
- Ground beef
- Enchilada sauce
- Flour tortillas
- Cheddar cheese
- Onion
- Canned salmon
- Bread crumbs
- Egg
- Onion
- Lemon juice
- Dill
- Pork chops
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- White wine
- Rosemary
- Canned tuna
- Lime juice
- Corn tostadas
- Avocado
- Red onion
- Cilantro
- Cooked ham
- Spaghetti
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Milk
- Parmesan cheese
- Cooked chicken
- Mixed salad greens
- Black beans
- Corn
- Cherry tomatoes
- Avocado
- Lime vinaigrette
- Roasted Chicken Breasts
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme or rosemary)
- Lemon juice
- Pasta
- Pancetta
- Onion
- Tomato sauce
- Red pepper flakes
- Pecorino cheese
- Chicken breasts
- Broccoli
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Ginger
- Ground beef
- Onion
- Beef broth
- Mushrooms
- Flour
- Chicken breasts
- Flour
- White wine
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salmon fillets
- Olive oil
- Lemon wedges
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Sirloin tips
- Baby bella mushrooms
- Flour
- Beef broth
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Pork chops
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Garlic
- Feta cheese
- Balsamic vinegar
- Chicken breasts
- Marsala wine
- Mushrooms
- Cream
- Flour
- Butter
- Fry
- Beef strips
- Mixed vegetables (such as broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots)
- Soy sauce
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Salmon fillets
- Tomato
- Fresh basil
- Garlic
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Seared Chicken Breasts with Shallots
- Chicken breasts
- Shallots
- White wine
- Mushrooms
- Butter
FAQ
- What is the average preparation time for these recipes?
- Most recipes are prepared in less than 40 minutes, with some ready in as little as 10 to 25 minutes.
- Can these recipes accommodate leftovers or substitutions?
- Yes, many recipes are flexible. For example, Lemon Herb Chicken leftovers can be used in salads, and Chicken Tortilla Soup can incorporate leftover cooked chicken.
- Are these recipes suitable for beginner cooks?
- Absolutely, the recipes are designed to be simple and quick, requiring minimal kitchen equipment and culinary skills, making them ideal for beginners.
- Do these recipes cater to different dietary preferences?
- Yes, the collection includes a variety of dishes featuring chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and pasta, offering options for different dietary preferences.
- Is it possible to alter these recipes for dietary restrictions?
- Many recipes can be modified easily. For instance, Tuna Lime Tostadas can be adapted to fit various dietary needs with minimal changes.
- Are there any tips for enhancing the flavors of these dishes?
- Yes, some users suggest adding extra spices or ingredients, such as chili powder in the Sloppy Joe Casserole or Italian seasoning in the Quick Chicken and Wine, to boost flavor.
Tips
- For the Garlic Chicken Stir Fry, make sure to chop and prepare all ingredients before starting to cook. The cooking process is fast, and you’ll need everything ready to go.
- When making Simple Lemon Herb Chicken, consider using any leftovers to create a delicious chicken salad for the next day.
- For the Chicken Tortilla Soup, using leftover precooked chicken can greatly reduce the preparation time. This recipe also adapts well to a crock-pot for a hands-off cooking approach.
- To add a bit of extra flavor to the Sloppy Joe Casserole, try incorporating some chili powder or other spices you have on hand.
Equipment
- Grill Pan – For recipes like Sesame Grilled Salmon and Soy and Honey Pork Chops.
- Crock-Pot (Slow Cooker) – Useful for the Chicken Tortilla Soup IV recipe.
- One Pan (Large Skillet or Sauté Pan) – Essential for One Pan Orecchiette Pasta and other one-pan recipes.
- Immersion Blender or Blender – Handy for blending soups like Chicken Tortilla Soup IV if desired.
- Instant-Read Meat Thermometer – Useful for ensuring meats are cooked to the correct temperature.
- Cast Iron Skillet – Great for recipes like Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts and Hamburger Steak with Onions and Gravy.
- Mandoline Slicer – Useful for thinly slicing vegetables quickly for various recipes.
- Chef’s Knife – A high-quality knife is essential for preparing ingredients efficiently.
- Food Processor – Useful for chopping or blending ingredients, such as when making salmon cakes.
